The Fishy Mixture Water Quality Inquiry Lab is an inquiry project including multiple lessons taught over the span of 1 to 2 weeks. To help manage the magnitude of this project, you will find the project split into 4 parts.

Part 1 includes the ENGAGE and EXPLORE components of the lesson; Time: 2 - 3 50-minute lessons or equivalent block periods.

Part 2 includes the EXPLAIN component of the lesson; Time: 1 50-minute lesson.

Part 3 includes the EXTEND component of the lesson; Time: 2 -3 50-minute lessons or equivalent block periods.

Part 4 includes the EVALUATE component of the lesson; Time 2 50-minute lessons or equivalent block period.

Resources

The purpose for the EVALUATION stage is for both students and teachers to determine how much learning and understanding has taken place. To accomplish this goal, we complete several activities:

1) We evaluate the water samples using the Fishy Mixture Water Quality Rubric (Water Quality Scoring Rubric Example). I often bring the samples up to the front and we evaluate the samples together as a way of sharing our data. During this time, we share what separation methods were successful and which were not. This video explains the evaluation of the water samples:

3) Upon completion of this project, a final class discussion using several prompts to assess what we have learned and think about next steps is an appropriate closing activity. These prompts may include:

- What can you conclude about separating mixtures from this activity?

- What do you think we should do to save the white sucker fish?

- What other types of mixtures might be harmful to humans or the environment?